I am the most indecisive person in the world

Deena_Bean

Some days I am all "I will stay at or below 50 total carbs" - then the next day "75 or less" - then the next day "maybe I should drop to 25 or less." WTH. Why can't I just decide and execute? Sigh...today I'm on the 75 or less theory. I'm also reading "Why we get fat" and the whole calorie thing is making me crazy. I can't even tell you. I don't know if I'm coming or going most of the time!

wabmester

Personally, I don't think there's a lot of difference. Anything in the range of 25-75g should work fine.

But you've been at this for a while, right? Is there a level that works best for you? Either in terms of how you feel or how easily you can sustain it as a lifestyle?

Don't overthink it.

Deena_Bean

I have been at it a while - without much effort I almost always fall between 75-100. I think 50-75 is a better zone for me, I see more difference there. It's always nice to hear that anything in the range I am thinking within is good. I'm the type of personality that if I say I want to be at 50 and I hit 53 I'm annoyed. I know that's silly, and I recognize it for that (being silly) - but my brain still instantly gets annoyed before I have time to even tell myself there's nothing to be annoyed by. I am programmed poorly LOL. I've been 50-75/day this week and it is very manageable.

As for the calorie thing - the things I'm reading about "don't worry about them" just don't feel quite 'on' to me. Perhaps if my chemistry was set up in a standard fashion that could work - but the PCOS seems to be a bear about calories. If I'm not very careful about the number I take in, I balloon up (carbs or not) quickly. So I'm having a little trouble wrapping my head around the "don't worry about the calories" theory - I may just have to chalk that one up to, 'It's not for me' (even though I really want to believe it - because who doesn't want 4 extra pieces of bacon per day?).

Thanks for your words, they help to ground me some when I start going all haywire.

ChoiceNotChance

A lot of people say calories don't matter. They sure do for me, as well. I feel your pain. I wish I were one of the lucky ones who could eat a greater amount as long as the carbs are low. It's just not so, for me.

SamandaIndia

Target less than "50 and I hit 53 I'm annoyed. I know that's silly"

Maybe that annoyance just shows you how much you want yo improve plus how you have learned to treat and care for yourself:

Perhaps an alternate perspective is Wow I do feel annoyed. I know I'd like to hit less than 50 and it feels normal to get angry if I am not disciplined enough to hit all my goals, even the stretch ones!. Really I am being a little mean to myself. Truth is, I could have 75 carbs and that would be ok and I can see I did my best today and learned some things so I will improve tomorrow to.

Good luck. End of philosophy

jetsamflotsam

I do 50 net carbs, which usually translated to around 65 carbs if you don't do net carbs. It's low enough that I know I'll keep losing weight, but not so low that I'll feel deprived. I follow Dr Eades Protein Power (phase 2) and find its a nice moderate approach to LCHF.

KnitOrMiss

I don't think it's that you're indecisive. I think its that you haven't identified a compelling reason to make yourself work that hard to make a choice. That's why, much like protein on LCHFMP, it's a range. Rather than set a hard limit, I have a goal range - 20 - 50 carbs. If I go over because of veggies (non-starchy), that's totally cool with me. Otherwise, anywhere in that range and I'm generally a happy camper. Maybe set your goal RANGE at 25-100 grams of carbs, with the middle being your "official target?" Because even if you don't hit your target exactly, you're still in range? Plus, remember, nutrition labels are allowed to be WRONG by 20-25% by rule, so it's entirely possible your measurements/reported values rounded up, and your 53 was on target EXACTLY to 50... That's why I can't get hung up on it completely despite my anal retentiveness er, I mean attention to detail - and my inner scientist wanting DATA! LOL

Deena_Bean

((((((BIG HUGS))))) - thanks, friends, all good advice as usual. I like the idea of a range instead of a single number. I'll also look into the Dr. Eades Protein Power, sounds interesting. I'm working hard on gentler approaches for myself...I don't really lack discipline in my own opinion - but I know I can easily defeat myself with harsh inner criticism. I don't like being in a bad mood because of my choices when I know if I was talking to someone about their choices (that are similar to my own), I'd tell them they were doing fine. Sometimes I can't get out of my own way lol. Thanks for talking me through it *high five*